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    NAYA

    4.2 (53 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Order NAYA Takeout or Delivery

    NAYA Photos

    NAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - NAYA

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    Reviews With Photos

    Create your own bowl with pita bread
    Bea R.

    If there's one thing NAYA needs to improve on, it's to open more locations in NJ!!! The Montvale location isn't too far of a drive for me, but I would love it if there was one even closer... I've been coming here frequently for the past two months and I'm officially addicted! If you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal... NAYA will not disappoint. It's a fast-casual franchise inspired by Lebanese/Middle Eastern cuisine. The menu is straightforward and follows the typical "build your own" food model. You can create your own bowl, pita roll, or salad. Then you add your bases, proteins, toppings, and sauces. The toppings are UNLIMITED, so go off!!! Plus, they give you free pita bread! They also have a small selection of hot & cold appetizers, desserts, and drinks. The prices are reasonable and they give you a generous amount of food. Depending on how hangry I am, I can usually split my food into two meals. My go-to order is the Naya bowl. I highly recommend trying these: *Chicken Shawarma (roasted strips of marinated chicken) - One of my favorite proteins! It's tangy and garlicky. *Falafel (fried chickpea croquette with herbs and spices) - They're super crispy and deep fried to perfection with a golden-brown exterior. The inside is a vibrant green color from all of the fresh herbs, spices, and grounded chickpeas. *Beef Shawarma - Tender, juicy, and savory! *Baba Ghannouj - A must try for eggplant lovers!! It's smoky with rich flavors from charred eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. *Hummus - It's creamy, nutty, and earthy. All of the ingredients and toppings are fresh. Every bite is a burst of flavor! The staff is always friendly and packs my bowl to the brim, so I can't complain. They get busy during lunch rush hours, but you can order ahead to avoid a longer wait time. The interior is bright, modern, and welcoming with natural lighting and greenery. There's a good amount of seating. Add NAYA to your rotation of fast-casual healthy eateries!

    Menu
    Jennifer V.

    I really like NAYA no matter where I go and the food is delicious. This location the staff is super nice and I enjoy coming. However, the place just seems a little rundown lately to be honest. The refrigerator in the front where the drinks are housed has been broken for like two or three weeks since the last time I was here. I got here and the forks were empty; in the bathroom, the toilet paper isn't in the holder and there's no paper towels; and everything in the main dining area just seems a bit rundown. I would expect a little more from a location in Montvale..

    Naya bowl with beef shawarma and a ton of fixin's, red & green hot sauces on the side
    Lailah J.

    Montvale, NJ - I'm already a NAYA aficionado and a fan of their build your own, fast-causal approach to Mediterranean food. It's one of my favorite chains in this genre, and is in my frequent lunch rotation in the city. This location in Montvale opened about a year and half ago and is the second one in NJ (after Paramus). The food is - as I expected from this brand - delicious, fresh, hearty yet healthy. You can choose your base as a roll, bowl (rice or seasonal grains), or salad; add your choice of protein or veg (chicken, beef, kafta lamb, falafel, roasted cauliflower); and go nuts with unlimited toppings and spreads! Plus an optional pita. Don't forget the house made sauces which are so good! I love the red and green hot sauces which aren't too spicy but are very flavorful. I like that they offer the same but a smaller sized version for kids, the Little Habibi Bowl, which comes with an apple juice or milk. There are several hot and cold mezze appetizer-y foods as well like grape leaves, rekakat (crispy Lebanese cheese roll), kibbe, fatayer, sambousik (various types of savory pastries), dips & spreads, and sweets like baklava and namoura. This location is clean, spacious, and friendly. The food is yummy and filling with generous toppings. What more can you ask for!

    Naya salad bowl with falafel
    Hannah W.

    My vegetarian daughter is a big fan of Naya, and falafel is a comfort food for both of us. We've ordered take-outs a few times, but I was not convinced, as their falafels are always soggy by the time they reach our house. Well, I changed my mind upon our most recent visit to the shop itself! The falafels were super warm, crunchy and full of flavor, just like how they should be. I ate one while paying for our orders at the cashier :-). The shop is very clean, the food selections are well maintained, and the servers are very friendly and efficient. After selecting the greens and grains, one can have unlimited toppings and sauces. I usually opt for the baba ghanouj, pickled radish, cabbage slaw and spicy jalapeno dressing. It is the most healthy, nutritious and delicious fast meal one can get for a small fee :-). One tip: for the best experience, go to the location and order, instead of ordering online and picking it up.

    Stefan H.

    As this location is out of the way for me, I hadn't been here since my first visit for a Yelp elite event a while back. Came in with my daughter and was greeted enthusiastically by Carly! She graciously reminded us of how things worked at Naya. My daughter and I each enjoyed a very hearty Bowl. Ingredients were fresh, tasty, and plentiful. We even had leftovers to take home! Restaurant was very spacious and clean. Naya is certainly on my list of places to find a filling, fresh, and reasonably priced meal!

    Lamb and Falafel comes with pita and sauce
    Robert H.

    Food (4.4) Service (4.7) Ambiance (3.7) We were very surprised about this wonderful meal. We tried the lamb, falafel, and chicken breast. All 3 were very tasty and fresh, and even authentic when it comes to middle eastern falafel. The sides are equally fresh and delicious. Between the two of us we tried most of them and felt they were all superb. The server was perfect, she offered full explanations of anything we asked about. She was so very personable and pleasant that we felt we were at a restaurant, not a take out establishment. I feel like they don't deserve the name fast-food even thought the process is fairly quick.... The ambiance is very similar to chipotle, clean and somewhat sterile tables inside, and a few outdoor tables. We will definitely return since they serve very nice portions of tasty and healthy food, for only a dollar or two more than Chipotle. I was told most items are gluten free. Keep up the good work!

    NAYA BOWL
    Darren S.

    Service off the bat, 5/5. The people were awesome, met the day manager and she explained a bit of the menu to me. Food wise? Some describe this place as the Middle Eastern Version of Chipotle, and there spot-on. I got both rice varieties for my base, and did half/half beef shawarma and chicken shish taouk. The rice portion --- generous, great ---- the meat portion? No shade, but a bit "stingy" with it. Ordered some yummy toppings, but the lady making it really should have explained some things to me because many of these items were a novelty to me. I want to understand middle-eastern food, and she's simply passive. The ambiance was exquisite. Inside is clean and spacious. Utensils are on the left side of the restaurant, near a display of some items you could buy if you'd like. To reiterate, food=good, portions = eh, manager=active, employee=passive. Overall impression? 3/5 Enjoy the photos I took. I'm still open to give them another try though!

    Kibbe and Rekakat
    Rob H.

    We ordered takeout here on a whim. We ordered two Naya bowls, one chicken and one beef. Both bowls were delicious and we try to plethora of toppings and sauces all being unique and flavorful. This place resembles a Middle Eastern version of chipotle and is 10 times better. I highly recommend trying the Naya bowls ,we also ordered a side of kibbeh and Rekakat which were only okay. The highlight was definitely the schwarma bowls. The only letdown was not receiving the pita bread we ordered, hoping it was a one off and next time will be better.

    Constance A.

    My partner and I came here on a Saturday for a lunch date around 3pm. It wasn't crowded when we arrived so finding a seat wasn't a problem. We went to the counter to place our order. I noticed many of the meats were not available. Some of the trays were low or empty. It was disappointing because we could only order chicken. It looks like the second staff was preparing something in the back. The staff who was helping us did not inform us whether a new batch of proteins were going to come out. So my partner and I settled for the chicken. There were two falafel left so the staff offered to make one of our orders half falafel and half chicken. Other than that, everything else was good. The food was fresh and delicious. A very hearty food. We left feeling satisfied.

    Chicken NAYA Bowl

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    4 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    I love their food!! Always fresh and delicious!! I always order when I visit NJ and NY

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    6 months ago

    The food always tastes fresh. The staff is helpful and pleasant. The location is convenient t

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    1 year ago

    Mediocre food and employees who seemed totally clueless did not make for a good experience.

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    1 year ago

    The servers are very nice people and tend to have a heavy hand when filling the bowls. The ingredients are always quality. Love this place.

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    2 years ago

    My husband and I were visiting from Minnesota. The staff is very friendly and the food was great. The portion of food is a lot.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - NAYA

    Is it halal?

    I am pleased to confirm that our chicken shawarma is halal at all NAYA location. Only the chicken shawarma. We also have a variety of vegetarian options available.… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Nour Lebanese Cuisine

    Nour Lebanese Cuisine

    4.7
    (668 reviews)
    42.9 mi
    $$

    my first time here and I was blown away by the customer service! Simon is a very pleasant man he…read morelet me take a sample of this spicy beans and mushroom dish which was delicious and also let me try some desserts for free as well which were also very good. Restaurant owners should replicate what he did for me coming in today! very impressed!

    I was so fortunate to find this amazing restaurant, about a mile off exit 8 on I84…read more The owners are so friendly, kind, and ready to share thier culture. The two times I've been in, they've brought out samples of thier menu items to try. I've ordered various things on the menu: hummus, lebneh, falafel wraps, falafel platters, baked kibbe platters, the green bean side, etc. All have been amongst the best Lebanese food I've tried. I want to expand and try more things, like the chicken and beef kafta. If you have questions just ask. Certain platters come with different items. Some rice, some salad, etc. Thier pita is fresh and delicious, and comes in different sizes. They have a decent sized dining area for dine-in, and the take-out area is right as you walk in the side door. Here you will also find a grocery area with Lebanese essentials. The selection is sizable, and offers items you won't find in a regular grocery store. I stocked up on spices, and coffee. Prices are reasonable, and portions are generous. I will return every opportunity I get.

    Photos
    Dinning room
    Dinning room
    Vegetarian Combo
    Vegetarian Combo
    Roasted lamb over rice and nuts. Out of this world.

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    Roasted lamb over rice and nuts. Out of this world.
    Beit Zaytoon

    Beit Zaytoon

    4.6
    (66 reviews)
    32.0 mi

    Tried Lebanese food for the first time at Beit Zaytoon and it truly felt like discovering a hidden…read moregem. I ordered the lamb chops while my husband had the chicken shawarma, and both plates came with rice, vegetables, and a fresh salad with a homemade dressing that was incredibly tasty and unlike anything we've had before. The drinks were homemade too - we had the lemonade and iced tea - and the presentation of everything was beautiful, right down to the mint sprigs in the glasses that added such a nice touch. We were served by the owner, Elias, who was warm, personable, and provided impeccable service the entire time. Even though we didn't order dessert, he surprised us with baklava on the house - delicate flaky layers topped with honey and pistachios that were absolutely delicious. If you're looking for a relaxing place to enjoy great Lebanese food, Beit Zaytoon is definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is comfortable, welcoming, and not cramped at all.

    What a great addition to the neighborhood! Authentic Lebanese Cuisine in the middle of Hempstead!…read more We started off with their complimentary olives & pickeled radishes; refreshing and a great palate cleanser. Then we were served Pita bread; not the soft & fluffy kind but more of a thin pita pocket type. This pita went so well with the spreads! Here is our menu (shared by 3ppl): ~ Baba Ghannouj ($10): outstanding. The smokey flavors were mouth watering. Recommended! ~ Fattoush Salad ($15): very good; fresh veggies with a fresh herb dressing. Another great palate cleanser ~ Samboussek Jibneh (feta cheese dumpling) ($12/4pcs): loved these! The dumplings are deep fried but weren't greasy at all. This was a treat! ~ Lahme Meshwi (grilled filet mignon cubes w.rice & veg) ($40): I thought this dish was a tad bit overpriced but great nonetheless. The filet mignon was so tender and prepared perfectly. The rice and grilled veggies were good also. ~ Kaftan Kebab (grilled minced lamb kebabs w.rice & veg) ($25): the kebabs were very flavorful but could have used a sauce. I ate some with the Baba Ghannouj and it was wonderful. The assorted grilled Vegs were great. Note that they do not serve tap water; must purchase bottled water. Beit Zaytoon is located in a small strip mall, so there is plenty of parking available! Recommended, and I would definitely return to explore other menu items!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Baba Ghannouj $10
    Baba Ghannouj $10
    Complimentary Green Olives and Radish

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    Complimentary Green Olives and Radish
    Chamoun’s Way

    Chamoun’s Way

    4.7
    (276 reviews)
    20.6 mi
    $$

    I have notoriously referred to the Upper East Side as a "food desert." Well actually I haven't, as…read moreI always paraphrase Anthony Bourdain who called it a "food wasteland." This way, anyone who disagrees with me is really disagreeing with Big Tony. It's a great way to grab the head-turning polarization of a hot take, but without any of the personal responsibility. A way to say something controversial without saying anything at all. A genius chess move to be sure, but complete and utter RAT behavior. I say this, my dear reader, as a reformed rat. All this to say, I recently moved to the UES and have been desperately trying to prove Big Tony wrong. One of my big bros recommended Chamoun's way, saying it's one of his favorite takeout spots in the city. I've been desperate for a decent, non-slop bowl takeout restaurant up here so I went the next day. I walked into a clean hole in the wall, and was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choices on the menu, but ended up going with the Chamoun's healthy bowl ($14.99) and some grape leaves. After 1 bite my faith in the good lord, and in the Upper East Side, were restored. The chicken and rice were both phenomenal, but the veggies were really what showed out. The turnip pickles and jalapeno peppers were clearly fresh, which leads me to believe everything coming out of here is fresh. It felt like I was eating the home cooked meal of someone's Lebanese granny. The grape leaves were also clearly just wrapped, as the rice inside was warm with the leaf being room temp. You gotta respect this attention to detail. I've already been back a few times since, and it is my new goto takeout spot in all of NYC. I'll probably get it again tonight. BIG SHOUTOUT TO CHAMOUN FOR SHOWING ME THE WAY! IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

    Such an amazing place for a quick bite at lunch time!…read more My wife works at MSK and I work from home nearby, so we always meet here for lunch. She always gets a falafel wrap, "their way", and I always get the beef shawarma rice bowl with extra garlic dip. The food is ok. It doesn't blow you away, but it is authentic Lebanese. That being said, I don't even care what the food tastes like because the servers are SO nice! When I bring my kids, they always leave with some free french fries. If I show up after the lunch rush, the owner is always around and asks me how I'm doing. When I get up after eating and start cleaning my table, the owner always just shows up behind me and amicably tells me to leave, and he will clean the table himself. You will always be greeted with a smile here, treated respectfully, and leave well-nourished. I wish nothing but success for this place!

    Photos
    Homemade Lebanese vegan combo
    Homemade Lebanese vegan combo
    CHAMOUN'S WAY COMBO ($35)
    CHAMOUN'S WAY COMBO ($35)
    Chamoun’s Way

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    Carmel Haifa

    Carmel Haifa

    4.4
    (376 reviews)
    26.6 mi
    $

    Fabulous. This little mom and pop (literally; I saw both) shop is the proverbial hole in the wall…read more(tiny space with four or five small tables) and it is a gem. I arrived just before their three o'clock lunch break and was accommodated by their daughter (who was really friendly and kind). I ordered a chicken shawerma Haifa sandwich, and I watched my pita being toasted over a charcoal fire (she used a fan to literally fan the coal fire). I needed to use two hands, and from my first bite I was in nirvana. I asked and was given a fork and extra sauce. Remarkably good falafel, delicious chicken, and oh, that secret sauce. It's right on Speedwell (a busy street) near a funky intersection that gets tied up quickly. Do yourself a favor and park on a side street a block away: you'll whet your appetite on the walk there, and float in bliss on your way back. Superb. Great value. Just a gem. I will most definitely return and highly recommend it.

    A gem!!!! The food is delicious and authentic. It's in the heart of Morris plains, NJ right across…read morefrom the NJ Transit station. The owner is extremely sweet and will walk you through the menu. You can immediately pick up that he's attentive and cares so much about his food and how his customers are taken care of. There is some seating, but not a lot so keep that in mind. I didn't mind as I did take out. Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Mixed Shawerma/Shawarma platter. A bit pricier now as expected but tasty. Jamileh special is the better idea
    Mixed Shawerma/Shawarma platter. A bit pricier now as expected but tasty. Jamileh special is the better idea
    Mixed Shawerma/Shawarma platter. A bit pricier now as expected but tasty. Jamileh special is the better idea
    Mixed Shawerma/Shawarma platter. A bit pricier now as expected but tasty. Jamileh special is the better idea
    Shawerma Haifa Sandwich with Chicken and Falafel

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    Shawerma Haifa Sandwich with Chicken and Falafel
    Mezza Westwood

    Mezza Westwood

    4.1
    (382 reviews)
    4.6 mi
    $$$

    First time here and loved everything about this experience. The inside is super cozy and the decor…read moreis just so welcoming. Modern with a flare of Mediterranean warmth. You have to dine in to see what I mean. Parking is a little tricky, but street parking is available and could be free depending on the time of day you arrive but be prepared to walk or circle a bit before being able to secure your spot. Also highly recommend a reservation for a weekend as it was packed. In addition to the regular menu, they also had specials which our fabulous waiter took us through. We got a bunch of appetizers for the table to split and each got our own entrée. For a group of 4 we ordered more than enough and everything was fabulous. For starters, we had a trio of dips with pita, the pear arugula salad, crab cakes and the crispy cauliflower. The hummus was so creamy. Baba ghanoush, not too heavy on garlic and tzatziki bright and creamy. We ended up asking for extras of the pita as it was also good. The salad was beautiful and refreshing and the cauliflower appetizer, wow I could eat this all day every day. Crab cakes also delicious. For dinner we had one of the specials - scallops over risotto. Also did the Bronzino, Mediterranean skewer and leg of duck. Again, everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned so well. The hanger steak in the skewers with the chimichurri was so tender. The duck was falling off the bone tender. For dessert, we had the equivalent of a lava cake which we shared amongst the 4 of us. One of the best dinners I've had in a long time thanks to the vibe, our fabulous waiter and delicious food.

    Overpriced, unorganized and poorly managed. The food was ok, not worth the visit. I ordered a…read morelemonade and never got it, they might have charged me for it because for 2 sub par dishes, we paid a whole lot. Don't go there hungry because you have to wait a very long time, even if the place is empty. They don't give you complimentary nothing, not even bread or pita. I can only imagine how much they're trying to save inside the kitchen. The place screams cheap! Some of the lighting doesn't work, our candles were never lit even though it was nighttime so our area was too dark. The waitress will switch on you without you knowing and they will not get your order right. The place setup is super sketchy, I think the chef brings the finished plate to a little closet near the bathroom and I looked inside the closet, it was filthy. The process is questionable and risky in terms of hygiene. They took forever to make the soufflé, even though we asked ahead and wanted it to come out after dinner. The soufflé was too pricey and it was not made well. On top of that, the ac stopped working during the scorching heatwave and they didn't offer anything to compensate and instead provided a terrible experience. I don't see this place lasting very long. Terrible!!!

    Photos
    Warm, inviting ambiance -- perfect for any occasion.
    Warm, inviting ambiance -- perfect for any occasion.
    Short Ribs Cigars with Herbed Tahini
    Short Ribs Cigars with Herbed Tahini
    Grilled Octopus-with Potato &Green Salad

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    Grilled Octopus-with Potato &Green Salad
    ilili NoMad

    ilili NoMad

    4.1
    (2.9k reviews)
    21.6 mi
    $$$

    Gorgeous upscale dinner spot in midtown! We came as a group of 7 and were seated comfortably, lots…read moreof room within the restaurant. Great place to share several food items with a group. It was a little hard to hear and converse at times as it gets crowded, but the food was delicious and there are really unique items on the menu. Food: The duck shawarma was one of our favorites! The lamb and scallops were also flavorful and tender. The dips were delicious with the pita, but I wish the serving size for the dips were bigger. The fries were great - well seasoned! Also recommend the milky pudding, it was a nice refreshing way to end the dinner. Service: Our server was super helpful in letting us know what items are more shareable and his suggestions for cocktails. Definitely try some of the arak based cocktails. Vibe: Gorgeous interior, the mirrors and lighting really elevates the space and makes it a lovely spot for group dinners or dates.

    We went for Mother's Day brunch. When we arrived a few minutes early we did have to wait a bit. The…read morerestaurant had two floors, nicely decorated and cozy. We were lead upstairs to a table. There were 7 of us The seating was cozy but not cramped. We started with 7 family style small dishes: Hummus with Falafel Pops (chickpea purée, tahini, falafel, olive oil), Spring Burrata (roasted cherry tomatoes, toast, basil oil), Hamachi Crudo (passionfruit vinaigrette, citrus zest, cucumber, mint, sesame tuile), Scallops (carrot puree, serrano pepper, brown butter sauce), Tenderloin Skewer (zaatar chimichurri, fresh herb salad), and Shiitake Stuffed Grape Leaves (tomato coulis, yogurt foam, herbs). Everything was delicious. The hummus was well seasoned the falafel had a nice crunch. It went well with the warm puffy gyro bread that came to the table. The burrata was wasm and creamy. I love the vinaigrette on the fish. I ended up eating most of it. The scallops were the sweetest, most tender ones I have ever had. The tenderloin skewers were tender and well seasoned. I liked the grape leaves but the rice consistency was very soft almost mushy and you can barely tell there were mushrooms. There was barely any mushrooms flavor. Next we all chose an entree. I got the duck breast, my husband and daughter each had the beef tenderloin. The duck breast was smaller than i expected. The skin was nicely seared and very crispy but boy did it give my jaw a workout. It was done medium rare. It was juicy but tough. The small beef tenderloin was tender and smoky. The waiter poured the sauce over the tenderloin for added flavor. Finally dessert was a fruit plate with ice cream and pudding. The fruit was fresh and the flavors of the ice cream and pudding unique. It was a nice end to a good brunch. The price was a little expensive at $85 a person.

    Photos
    Ilili Restaurant NYC's outdoor dining
    Ilili Restaurant NYC's outdoor dining
    Brussels Sprouts
    Brussels Sprouts
    Glass of Chateau Ksara 'Blanc de Blancs' 2023 (~$17)

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    Glass of Chateau Ksara 'Blanc de Blancs' 2023 (~$17)
    Cedars

    Cedars

    3.9
    (362 reviews)
    13.9 mi
    $$

    Absolutely disgusting behavior from their staff member. I've been to this location a few times and…read moreit's a cozy spot for a nice meal with friends. I went last night after a concert at the MetLife stadium near by. Once we were seated they brought out plates for the table and every one of the four plates given to us had charcoal dust on them, which isn't alarming at an establishment that serves hookah. We asked the waitress LAMIA if she can change the plates, Immediately she caught an attitude. She was adamant they weren't dirty but went to get us new plates as requested. The great thing about outside seating at this establishment is that the windows are wide open so you can see inside. We watched as LAMIA walked over to her coworkers to complain, stomp her foot and have an attitude driven tantrum while she filled them in on our request for new plates. For the rest of dinner we were greeted with the rudest attitude and treatment of distain from this server. She didn't want to speak with us. She didn't want to serve us. Thank you for runing our night LAMIA. She even brought the check over while we were mid eating our dinner, put it on the table and walked away without a word. Rushing us out without even acknowledgement. Paying $200 for a meal with that sort of treatment makes for an interesting end to our evening. We were raised with manners so we continued to be polite and thank her each time she dropped off an item. Makes me question if our food was tampered with because we even found a piece of hair in our meal. We all have long jet black hair down our backs so this hair definitely was not ours. But didn't feel comfortable to speak up due to the treatment we were already receiving. The service industry is for those who enjoy curating a space of fun and enjoyment for consumers. I would think twice about going to this establishment if you're looking for a good time.

    Love this place!!! I come here all the time when I want good food, food entertainment and they are…read moreBYOB!! There is belly dancing and a DJ on Friday nights so it's guaranteed to be always a good time. I love the food too everything js always consistent and fresh. If you love hookah this is your spot! The service is also amazing!

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    Cedars
    Appetizers - included in Saturday Prix Fixe Menu
    Appetizers - included in Saturday Prix Fixe Menu
    Appetizers - included in Saturday Prix Fixe Menu

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    Appetizers - included in Saturday Prix Fixe Menu

    NAYA - mediterranean - Updated August 2026

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